IE 11 Not Supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

California Fire Victims Get Help to Rebuild, Regroup

The site contains links and information on cleanup, grants and assistance, contractors, special needs, how to avoid contracting scams, replacing lost documents and much more.

In about 10 hours, staff of the California State and Consumer Services Agency built a Web site to assist victims of the Southern California fires regroup and rebuild. Aptly named "Rebuild Your Life," the site contains links and information on cleanup, grants and assistance, contractors, special needs, how to avoid contracting scams, replacing lost documents and much more.

During a presentation by Gov. Schwarzenegger and other state officials on Saturday, Rosario Marin, secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency outlined some of the services available to the public affected by the fires, and directed people to the 1-800-852-5210 telephone number and the Web site.

"We have also created a few tips," said Marin. "I won't go through all of them, because they're in the Web site. But let me just talk about [a few] very, very important ones:

  • Understand that the law is on your side. Laws have been created to protect consumers, especially at the most vulnerable of times.
  • Don't fall for a phony. It is very important. People have been granted licenses, professional licenses. Make sure that they have a current, valid professional license to operate in California. And you can check that through the 1-800 number.
  • There is a 10 percent rule that you must be aware of as a consumer. During an emergency, during a disaster, people can increase their prices, but no more than by 10 percent. And also, make sure that if you're going to get into a contract, that you do not give a deposit that is higher than 10 percent. That is really, really important.
  • Make sure you get everything in writing. In the situation, you may think, oh my God, he told me that he was going to do this. Get it in writing. Sign a contract. No contract, no business.
  • And trust your instincts. You know, right now you may be vulnerable. Trust your instincts. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. So we do not want you to be victimized twice. Make sure you do that.
  • Save your documents. Save receipts. The Insurance Commissioner will certainly be grateful for that. Make sure that you keep -- have a file. Whatever costs you've incurred so far and the costs you will incur later on, make sure you keep a track record of that.
Wayne E. Hanson served as a writer and editor with e.Republic from 1989 to 2013, having worked for several business units including Government Technology magazine, the Center for Digital Government, Governing, and Digital Communities. Hanson was a juror from 1999 to 2004 with the Stockholm Challenge and Global Junior Challenge competitions in information technology and education.